GB145557A - - Google Patents

Abstract

145,557. Poppe, W. Sept. 5, 1918, [Convention date]. Sweeping mines.-Relates to explosive grapnels intended to be attached to a mine-sweeping cable for destroying mine moorings. According to the invention, the grapnel, which comprises an explosive charge 10 and a pair of arms 2, 3, is attached to the sweeping-cable through the intermediary of a broad steel band 35 with butt plates 36, 37 which guide the mine-mooring cable into the arms of the grapnel; and the entry of the mooring-cable into these a.rms and its pressure on lugs 13, 14 on a bush 15 is made to shear a screw 16 and to move the bush inwards, thereby performing the following operations, namely: (1) fingers 17, 18 pivoted on the arms 2, 3 are swung inwards by the lugs 13, 14 and locked in the inward position by the release of springs 32, 33, so that the mooring-cable cannot escape back; (2) a spring 22 is compressed by a follower disk 25 secured by screws 29 to the bush, and a striker 21 is subsequently released by retaining-balls 23 falling out through slots 40. 41 in the bush, the released striker firing a percussion cap 8 igniting a time fuse 7 leading to a detonator 9; and (3) a slip lock 30, 31 is uncovered by the bush and releases the grapnel from the mine-sweeping cable. The grapnel is then dragged up along the mooring-cable into contact with the mine by a floatattached to an eye 12 on the grapnel. The timefuse is designed to explode the grapnel after it has thus been brought close to the mine to ensure the destruction and sinking of the mine. A safetypin 39 is provided.